17 killed as bus plunges into Chenab river in Kashmir

At least 17 people were killed while 16 others injured as a passenger minibus rolled down into the Chenab river’s bed in at Thakrai in Kishtwar district Friday.

Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Angrez Singh Rana told media that in the rescue operation carried out, 13 dead bodies were recovered while 3 of the seriously injured succumbed on the way to the hospital.

11 critically injured persons were airlifted to GMC Hospital in Jammu where one more injured succumbed. The state government has announced Rs. 5 lac as ex-gratia each’ for deceased person families.

The accident occurred at Dandaran, near Thakrai, when the driver of the mini bus, which was on its way to Kishtwar from the Keshwan area, lost control of it and the vehicle plunged into the over-300-foot gorge, near the Chenab riverbed, on Friday morning.

The bus was carrying over 30 passengers, said an official, adding that the rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident.

Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh Rana said the district administration was making efforts to airlift eight critically-injured passengers to Jammu.
“The next of the kin of the deceased will be given an ex gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh each, while Rs 50,000 will be given to each of the injured persons,” Rana said.